The doorbell had barely rang when it was thrown open by an exuberant Gus. "Hi Doc!!! Glad to see you make it. Miss Sarah Jo is waiting for you out in the back forty as she calls it," he said gleefully.

"How back forty IS this?" Doc Adams asked cautiously. "I've been getting *warnings* . . ."

Gus just chuckled and escorted Ben through the house and through the back patio door. There, instead of the usual back yard of the other condo, was a magical land of Rayden's creation, stretching out as far as the eye could see. Gus pointed out a well worn path beside a gentle creek flowing by the house. "Just follow the path till you get to a log bridge, then cross over. Sarah Jo will be waiting for you on the other side." Then Gus grinned at him and said, "Have fun!" and went back into the house.

Doc groaned and started up the path. It looked like more than a good stretch of the legs to him. But he knew he couldn't look unhappy for Sarah's sake, so he got off some good choice ancient curses under his breath now, while he still could. He hadn't gone very far before he noticed he was now going uphill. Glancing back, he noticed Rayden's house had disappeared and he appeared to be in a rugged, mountainous landscape. A noise caught his attention and a huge 12 point buck ran across the creek in front of him and vanished into the woods.

He stopped for a minute and wished he'd worn something other than his usual late 19th century clothing. It made him what he was, and Lady encouraged them to wear their *own* clothes, but he thought something along Cain's usual garb would have served him better. He also could have used Cain's gun, to take down that buck.

As he followed the path up on what he was now believed had to be one of the steepest climbs he had every been on, he passed other wildlife, all apparently unafraid of humans. The trees rustled in the last afternoon breeze and the sun shown warm on his back as he climbed steadily. He wondered when the &*&$%# he was going to find this bridge she was waiting behind!

By the time he spied the log bridge he had been told about, he had been walking for over an hour. He was a little tired, sweaty, and his feet hurt. He climbed up onto the bridge which was just two logs laid across the creek. "Great," he grumbled, "Now I wish I were wearing a loin cloth or something!" Stopping, he pulled off his boots and crossed the bridge bare-footed. He wasn't concerned about splinters; being Immortal that didn't bother him in the least. And he had better grip on the logs with his toes free. He managed to cross the creek without falling into the water below. Then as he jumped down on the other side, and he paused to look over the scene before him, looking for Sarah Jo.

He was in a beautiful little mountain valley surrounded by tall craggy peaks of the hills around it. The lush thick grass felt cool and refreshing under his aching bare feet. Wildflowers were growing everywhere and he could hear the songs of several different birds. As he stood there, he caught the trace of a wonderful aroma which caused his stomach to rumble in hunger. Pie! Berry pie if he wasn't mistaken.

Then a movement caught his eye and he spied Sarah Jo off to the side, kneeling down by the creek filling up some water buckets. She straightened up, and waved at him with a bright, happy smile on her face. Sitting down by the river bank, he started to pull on his socks. "Or should I cool my feet in the river first?" he asked her in a light tone.

She just grinned at him and wiggled her own bare toes in the cool grass. "Your choice!" she said as she turned and walked away from the creek. She was wearing a simple calico dress and her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a long ponytail. He couldn't help but admire the smooth sway of her hips as she easily carried the heavy load towards a rustic cabin on the other side of the meadow. Deciding the cabin was her objective, and that it would be better barefoot, he shoved his stockings into his boots, tied the laces together, and tossed them over his shoulder before following.

A thin plume of smoke rose from the rock chimney of the log cabin. It had a large covered porch with several rocking chairs on it and to his surprise, even a lazy old hound dog who greeted his approach by barely opening one eye and thumping his tail on the porch before going back to sleep.

"Come on in!" Sarah Jo said brightly as she carried the buckets inside the cabin. "Sit on down and take a load off." He chose a comfortable looking rocking chair and collapsed into it. Taking off his jacket, he loosened his collar and cravat, and rested back on the rocker to wait for her to finish what she was doing. He'd just have to see what she had planned next.

"You hungry?" she asked with a happy grin. "I have a mess of vittles all cooked up and ready iffen you are."

"I could eat," he said, hoping *vittles* didn't mean the Beverly Hillbillies type of fare. He didn't have much experience with the backwoods, come to think of it. By this time in history he'd grown too use to big cities. He watched in interest as she began to take the food out of the warming cabinet of the wood cooking stove that dominated one wall of the small cabin. The sparsely furnished room he was in had a well worn wooden table sitting over a colorful braided rag rug, a bookshelf filled with old novels, several chairs including the one he was sitting on near a large rock fireplace and a large keeping cabinet full of dishes and pottery. The cool evening breeze was blowing gently thorough the open window. There was what he assumed to be a bedroom behind a closed door.

His belly began to rumble again as Sarah Jo placed platters of smoked ham, a sweet potato casserole, peas and snaps, greens, and some heavenly looking biscuits on the table. Setting out two plates and some silverware along with the pie that he had smelled, Sarah Jo looked up at him and asked "Buttermilk or cider?"

"Cider if you please," said Doc, containing a shudder at the thought of drinking milk in any form whatever. "It looks wonderful," he added, noting there were *no* possums on the table, just well defined, and very delicious looking (and smelling!) food stuffs. He watched as Sarah Jo pulled out one of the chairs and climbed up on it to pull down a jug from the rafters. He couldn't help but enjoy the view of her firm, shapely legs as her dress rose as she stretched high to get the cider down.

Coughing softly to himself, he went to the table and pressed his chair in closer, and, knowing she had gone to a lot of effort, concentrated on dinner, and not *dessert*. His hostess poured him a large mug of the strong dark cider from the jug and placed it before him, then sat down beside him. "Dig in!" she said with a wide grin as she reached out to start filling her own plate.

"Gladly," he said with a smile, and he *dug in* as instructed. The food was excellent and the hike up the hill had sharpened his appetite. Polishing off one heaping plate, he found himself reaching for seconds of the tender buttermilk biscuits and the rich sorghum molasses. Noticing he had drained his mug of the hard cider, she filled it up again. "Well," she asked when he at last had had his fill of dinner and a huge slice of pie. "Am I a passable cook?"

"More than passable," he said, thinking, just for a minute, to ask whether it was cyber cooked, no, but then deciding it would be insulting to even imply she would stoop that low. Then he continued, "Although now I rather feel sleepy and full."

She grinned at him and ruffled his hair. "Why don't you go set out on the porch for a little bit and let the night air invigorate you again! Old Beau will keep you company while I clear the table."

He nodded. In SC the women usually didn't let him get away with backing off and expecting them to do everything for him (something he did like from time to time), but he knew this was what she wanted, so he didn't offer to do the dishes or anything. If they needed more wood chopped, THAT he could do. He went out onto the porch and sat down on the steps, feeling the fresh night breeze blowing and listening to the rustle of the aspens. Looking up at the night sky he couldn't help wondering when the last time he had seen so many stars had been. He even found himself reaching out and scratching the old hound dog behind the ears. He hadn't been out there too long before Sarah Jo came out and sat down on the step beside him.

"Is it all cleared away?" he asked conversationally. He looked a bit odd, in his shirt sleeves (rolled up now) and old-fashioned trousers with no shoes, but he seemed calm and at peace, so he didn't really seem out of place.

"Yup" she said with a giggle as she moved into his arms and snuggled up to him. "So what do you think of my special place?"

"Different," he said honestly. "Not what I'd choose of my own imagination, but I know it is special to you."

"This is just like the place where I grew up, Ben. It may have been primitive and rugged, but it was my home. And Mamma Kats made sure I grew up happy." Her eyes shown as she thought about her years growing up on the mountain. "Rayden lifted this place from my memories"

"I can't remember where I *grew up*," he said honestly. "I doubt it would bring happy memories. I was a different person then. In many ways, the person I am now was something I worked hard to attain."

Sarah Jo nodded her head in understanding as she leaned up against him, his arm draped around her sturdy shoulders. They sat that way in comfortable silence for awhile listening to the night noises and watching the fireflies dance in the meadow. Then Sarah Jo rose up and said, "Think I'll go get the bed ready."

He was actually shocked. His desire was still there, lurking, but he hadn't thought about the denouement for some time. "I'll call you when it's ready," she said quietly. Then she disappeared inside the cabin.

He stood slowly, stretching. He was almost too peaceful to be aroused. The hound dog saw him stretching and mimicked the behavior, yawning loudly. That made Doc laugh, and he scratched the dog again. "I feel about as lazy as you do, ol' man," he said.

Just then he heard his name being called from inside the small cabin and he went in. The door to the bedroom was open and when he went through it he saw a old fashioned cast iron bed with a thick feather mattress. The quilts and linens covering the bed had been carefully folded back and Sarah Jo sat on the edge of it, dressed in a long flannel nightgown, looking a little nervous. He chuckled. "Now, this does bring back memories," he said softly. "Of a wedding night, and a sweet thing who was just as frightened as you are." Sarah Jo ducked her head and blushed. The light of the oil lamp danced on her face and hair, making her seem to glow in the dim light of the room. Coming closer, he said, "I am not here to hurt you, Sarah Jo. If anything I do displeases you, please tell me."

Sarah Jo just looked up expectantly at him, her eyes wide and luminous, watching and waiting to see what the next move of his would be. Noting that he wasn't getting comment from a normally very talkative girl, Doc smiled reassuringly and pulled her very gently to her feet. When she was standing, he continued to pull her close, until she was in his arms. Thankfully, since he was not in some rage of passion, the hug was comfortable and *comforting*. Softly he nuzzled her hair, and was glad to feel her relax into the embrace.

Sarah Jo hesitated just momentarily, then reached up and put her arms around his neck, turning her face up as she pulled his head down so he could kiss her. It was a slow kiss, but with passion. His tongue probed the warmth of her mouth, arousing his ardor, and he pressed in close. She could not fail to feel his desire.

Her hand trailing down his face to his loosened shirt, she shyly began to unbutton it the rest of the way before pulling it out of his trousers and lowering it off his shoulders. He smiled. His taut, muscular chest gleamed in the low light as he reached out and very slowly pulled the offending flannel nightdress over her head.

Her face flaming at being exposed, she at first tried to cross her arms across her firm breasts before thinking better of it and letting them hang loosely by her side. "Don't hide perfection, Sara Jo," he whispered, kissing her lightly by the ear. It made her shiver and she unconsciously moved back into his arms. He held her close, his mouth and hands exploring her soft skin.

Sighing softly, Sarah Jo's hands hesitantly reached out towards the fastenings of his old fashioned pants; but embarrassed by her forwardness and feeling bashful, she withdrew the hand. "It's not going to hurt you," he urged, taking back her hand. She resisted, but he didn't force her; just held it until she gave in on her own. Then she allowed him to pull her hand close enough to touch him *through* the pants. It was clear to her that he was letting her set the pace, but wouldn't let her back out without some encouragement.

She could feel how hard he was through the material of his pants. Her freckled face flaming even more, she undid the fastenings of his pants, easing some of the pressure of his tight clothing around the fullness of his erection. He wanted her to know it wasn't evil or decadent to be heading in this direction; that it was only a natural part of his body. But she seemed to be progressing well. Holding his breath, he silently prayed she wouldn't get cold feet.

Biting her lower lip, Sarah Jo worked up the courage to push his pants down to the floor, then standing back up she turned and climbed into the bed and got under the covers, covering herself completely with them. He chuckled, then followed. No use *making* her look at it.

The iron bed squeaked as he made himself comfortable on the soft feather mattress and he adjusted the thick pillows under his head before turning over and grinning at the unusually serious Sarah Jo. "Before we go further, Miss Sarah Jo," he said sternly, although his face wore a gentle smile, "I want to hear you say something. Silence is golden, but really, dear, if you are not ready for this. . . to be quite clinical, Nurse Sarah, if you are tense, it will very likely be painful rather than pleasurable. Being Immortal, any discomfort will be momentary, but I should like it to be a fondly remembered experience."

Sarah Jo reached out and punched him lightly in the stomach and chuckled, "If I wasn't ready, I wouldn't have invited you into me bed!! Now hush up all that high faluting talk of yers and kiss me!" He did as requested, rolling on top of her. Pressing her back onto the soft bed, he felt her stiffen slightly, and his mouth came off hers long enough for him to give her a warning look.

Giggling at the stern look on his face, Sarah Jo took the hint and relaxed underneath him as she began to get used to the feel on his naked body pressed up against hers. Taking it to the next level, Doc slid his hand down her body, past her rump and over to her thigh. Gently he coaxed her legs open, to explore the treasures between. Groaning softly, she spread them even further for him as her strong hands lightly ran over his back. "Oh Ben," she moaned as his fingers gently caressed her.

He found her nub and gently rubbed it, leaning in as his kisses became deeper, more passionate. Snuggled against her, his manhood flicked and pulsed expectantly. She arched up under him, her breasts pressing tight against his chest as she responded fervently to his kisses and the pleasure of his touch. His other hand cupped her head, his fingers lost in her hair, while the one below gently slipped inside her.

She closed her eyes and gasped, arching up hard again, tightening up momentarily at the new sensation before he felt her begin to relax again. "My dear," he whispered in her ear, "if you remain as tight as this, you're going to be a very popular young lady."

That earned him a playful clout on the shoulder and a low growl from her. "Just pay attention to what you are doing!" she said breathlessly.

"Oh I am. Quite fixated," he murmured, exploring deeper.

His caresses were causing a warm feeling to overwhelm the lower regions of her body. Kissing him hard and deep again, she reached up and took his free hand and pressed it up against one of her breasts. He moved the other one now, and whispered, "You are not quite as relaxed as I'd like," and, moving his lips gently to surround the nipple that was NOT being favored by his caress, he continued on down her body, until his lips and tongue had made a delicious course down her body. At her belly he stopped and gently prying her legs open, made it clear where his next destination lay.

He could feel her tremble underneath him but she made no effort to resist his advances. Groaning softly, she opened herself even more to him. Assured that she was allowing this next step, Doc went lower, probing her love nub gently while her body stiffened, this time with the rapturous pleasure of being touched in a way that was, till then, unknown to her. Doc took this encouragement to heart (In fact, his insides burned with the excitement of it) and, moving down to gently nuzzle her folds, nudged her with his nose as he explored her with something wet and slick. It made her squirm, and he probed deeper, this time adding his fingers to his nose, hoping to increase her arousal.

He could feel her shake and tremble as he worked to get her as excited as he could. She was groaning, lost in the pleasure of what he was doing to her. He could taste her now: she was close. And selfishly he resisted the urge to let her loose so he could take that moment and share it with her. Unless, as a nun, she participated in *unclean acts*, this was probably her very first orgasm. But Doc knew there might be some pain involved in the breaking of her hymen (even one so lubricated as this) and he decided to finish her off. Opening her so he could reach her clitoris, he flicked just the very end of his tongue across it until she gasped, gave one last squirm to fight off the unfamiliar pleasure that was overtaking her, and then fell, screaming, over the edge. As she plunged, so did he, returning that madding tongue to the inner recesses of her femininity.

"Mercy sakes!" she cried out when she able to catch her breath "What in the world was that?"

He moved up. "Then end of the rainbow, sweet thing. And now," he went on, gently licking her heaving breasts, I should like to bring you there again, only *this* time, I'm coming with you."

"Oh yes," she whispered hoarsely, ready and more that willing for the next step. He moved up now, into place. She was more than wet enough, and his body hungered for her. A gentle press of his leg on hers, and she opened wide. As he kissed her ear, neck and shoulders, his hands caressing her nipples, hips and bottom, he penetrated her like a hot knife through butter. He had to blink back his own pleasure as he fought to clear his mind enough to see if he had hurt her.

She gasped out loud, flinching at the brief moment of a sharp, tearing like pain. But once he was inside her the pain eased and then faded completely, to be replaced by the pleasurable feeling of him filling her completely. "Hmmmm," she giggled in his ear as her hips started to squirm a little underneath him. "That wasn't too bad after all!"

"Wasn't too bad," he panted. "Well, little one, you're done now, it's time to stop pampering!" His eyes glittered with just enough humor for her to know he hadn't gone Cain on her. Instead he but both ham-like hands on her hips and began thrusting with glorious passion, giving her no time to *whimp out*. He was hungry for it, and he was going to get his reward. Kissing her deeply, he filled her in every way possible, bringing her to a second shattering climax. Only thing time he was with her every pulsing, thrusting step of the way!

Screaming out in pleasure, she went arched up hard enough to lift them both off the bed before going totally limp underneath him. Breathing hard, she moaned his name into his ear as she clung to him.

"Consider yourself initiated," Doc chuckled, reaching down to suckle her tempting little breast.

She laughed along with him as she said happily "That dear heart, was well worth the wait!!!"

"And you're going to get more of it," he promised.